"…then there was the year we homeschooled the kids!"

Becoming Our Normal

The longer we homeschool the more normal it seems when we pass an elementary school with a line of cars eagerly awaiting their students to start filing out of the double doors. Early in our year I would feel anxiety at these moments. I would wonder, “What did they learn in there today? What did we learn? Can I do this? Am I doing this? Are my kids learning? Are my kids missing out on something?” And so on, and so on, and so on.

So what is it exactly that goes on behind those brick walls of the local public elementary school that my children are missing out on? That I am starting to realize I will never really know the answer to. For each kid every experience is different. The most important thing, and something I am growing more confident in as time passes, is that the decision to homeschool is what works for my kid. While visiting over the weekend, my sister commented on how much more calm and focused Jane seemed to be. I have also heard from others the same, and also that she seems more happy and confident. They are right. These are things that I have noticed as well which really makes me care so much less about not only what every elses experiences are, but to care more about what the results of our own experiences are. Just like there is no single path we can all take that will lead to success, with educating our children, we must all choose the path that is right for our particular child.

It doesn’t matter what they are learning behind those brick walls because it isn’t what we are learning at home. Sure there are the core subjects, and that we are doing much the same, but it is also just the beginning for us. The icing on the cake are things such as this: Tuesday we will be visiting the Frist Art Museum with friends so we checked out books on Impressionism to read up on the current exhibit on display. Also, my children are starting to adore the sounds of Beethoven, Bach, and are becoming more interested in jazz. They also are eagerly awaiting Christmas in hopes that Santa will bring them each a guitar because they have started writing songs to sing together. They also write scripts for puppet shows which was inspired by the talented staff at the Nashville Public Library we frequently visit during the week. Jane and Annie like to make their own puppets, even creating their own sets, and have Molly and I in for their productions. Also, today we began construction on a pyramid for The Story of the World, which will be built from sand cubes we made from sand and Elmers glue. Whether or not our pyramid will come together looking well constructed I do not know, but the experience is half the fun, and definitely what it is all about.

Last, but not least, Jane also is starting to make friends with all kinds of children, and they all play so well together. There doesn’t seem to be anyone left out, or made fun of. They go on great field trips and learn together, create games, and build on those social skills everyone worries homeschooled kids lack. Realistically, I have noticed Jane’s social skills improve and become healthier since she has been homeschooling. She is comfortable speaking with people of all different ages, boy or girl, man or woman. She also seems to be able to articulate very well what she is feeling or thinking, and feels comfortable in doing so. The differences are remarkable, and I could seriously spend all night listing out the positives we have found in this decision. No one ever said the first year would run smoothly. In fact, it is common for it to be just the opposite. There are many days when I feel great, some when I feel not so great, but always I feel like at the end of the day, this is probably one of the best decisions we have ever made. Homeschooling is definitely becoming our normal, and is something I am starting to feel very confident and proud of.